Mahatma Gandhi
Introduction.
Gandhi was an eminent personality who stood as an inspiration to the youth and ignited a fire in the people to free India from the clutches of the British, who ruled our country for so many years. He initiated many movements against the British and stood as an influential leader among many others, like Nehru, Valla Bhai Patel, and so on. People addressed him as Bapuji, mahatma, or father of the nation. Gandhi’s philosophy inspired world leaders like Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther, Aung San Suki, etc.
Early life and childhood
Karamchand and Putlibhai ( 4th wife of Karamchand) were blessed with a baby boy on October 2nd, 1869 in Porbandar, Gujarat. He has been named Mohan Das Karamchand Gandhi. As a child, he was a mischievous and naughty kid. He was highly addicted to cigarettes. He was influenced by the stories of Harishchandra, and Sravana that reflected the importance of truth. After reading these stories, he realized love and truth are supreme values. At the tender age of 13, he got married to Kasturba Makhanji..
Education
He was enrolled in a local school and memorised the basics of arithmetic, history, geography, and languages. One of his family friends advised him to pursue law in London. Hearing this, he got excited and convinced his mother and his wife and vowed to them he would abstain from eating meat and from having sex in London. He left for London and practised law. He was introduced to a vegetarian society, and the Bhagavad Gita influenced him and changed his way of thinking.
Gandhi in South Africa.
After returning from London,, he could get a job in India, and one of his friends allowed him to work as a lawyer for his cousin’s business. He accepted the offer and went to Africa. His happiness did not last because in Africa there was racism between blacks and Indians. He turned into an activist when he was humiliated,and he took up many cases and fought for rights. He was influenced by satyagraha and implemented nonviolent protests. He metamorphosed into a new person and returned to India after spending 21 years in South Africa.
Entry into Indian politics
Gopala Krishna Gokhale invited Gandhi to take an active part in India’s freedom struggle. He noticed the political situation in India and social issues as well. Many agitations were named after Satyagraha and many such movements took place because of him.
Some of the movements are Champaran Satyagraha, Kheda Satyagraha , Salt Satyagraha
Swaraj
The concept of the “non cooperation” movement became famous in every corner of India. He extended this movement and focused on Swaraj. He instructed Indiana not to use foreign goods. He gave a call to all employees who are working in government sectors, not pursue higher education studies in London.
But Gandhiji called off the movement all of a sudden and arrested him and imprisoned him for 6 years. The Quit India movement, or Bharat Chodo Aldolan, was started by him in 1942. His efforts were fruitful and the British agreed that complete power would be transferred to the people of India. He played a key role in keeping peace and unity between Hindus and Muslims during the partition time.
The Assassination of Gandhi
Gandhi was shot by Nathuram Godsey on January 30th, 1948. Nathuram Godsey was a Hindu radical and was against Gandhi when he asked for partition payment to Pakistan.His co-conspirator was arrested and executed on November 15th, 1949.
Bio Data
- Birth: October 2, 1869
- Place of Birth: Porbandar, British India (now Gujarat).
- Date of Death: January 30, 1948
- Cause of Death: Assassination
- Professions: lawyer, politician, activist, writer.
- Spouse: Kasturba Gandhi
- Children: Harilal Gandhi, Manilal Gandhi, Ramdas Gandhi, and Devdas Gandhi.
- Father: Karamchand Uttamchand Gandhi/Mother: Putlibai Gandhi
- Memorial of gandhi: Raj ghat
